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Huge Derby Crowd On Grounds Early Reminders That Nation Is At War Seen — Usual Gaiety Prevails in Modified Form LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 2.— The wartime crowd which attended Churchill Downs today was a cosmopolitan one in every respect, but its size fell somewhat short of the 90,000 or more wno turned out for the Kentucky Derby a year ago. Though their ranks were a little thinned, there were persons here high in the social and civic life of the nation, and they came from almost every state, but the presence of so many men in uniform, the Red Cross banners, and the booths for the sale of War Bonds were mute but solemn reminders that some of the gaiety of previous Derby Days was missing. Curtailed transportation facilities cut heavily into this years Derby attendance, but the race which annually excites the interest of the entire country still drew what probably will be the biggest crowd to attend any kind of a sporting spectacle this year. Center Field Swarmed The highways leading into Louisville yesterday and today seemed to be as crowded as ever, but tire-conscious motorists drove a little slower. Only a negligible number was able to get airplane accommodations into the city, and there was a marked decline in the number of private cars and special cars in contrast to other years. Under stress of necessity, many hundreds had to come to Louisville a little earlier this year, and because of the same traffic restrictions on all public carriers they will have to remain a little longer after Derby Day. But the festivity of Derby Day was not entirely missing. The pleasure-bent thousands did their best to forget the worlds trouble, and in some measure succeeded. Men in their cuffless trousers and women in their unfrilled finery cheered ecstatically every time a winner flashed under the wire, and they set up a mighty din during the running of the Derby. As in former years, the crowd came early. The early birds were on hand as early as 5:30 oclock this morning, and there must have been 10,000 people on the grounds by 10:00 oclock. In two more hours, when the first race was called to Continued on Page Three All Walks of Life Have Representation at Derby Huge Gathering Assembles at Downs Course at Early Hour Continued Irom Page One the post, there was not an unreserved seat to be found unless it was on the ground. Thousands swarmed the center-field, and the bleachers on the upper turn were almost full of fans who became a part of the Derby throng at the bargain rate of 50 cents a head. The reserved sections also filled early and, as in other years, none of these accommodations went begging. None of the Derby Day trappings were missing, either. Concessionaires sold their wares to eager purchasers, and the hot dog was still the most popular commodity on the grounds. Camp stool venders reported early sell-outs and so did those who beguiled unseated patrons into the wisdom of buying periscopes to see the races. The crowd literally floated itself, in pep and other refreshments, munched peanuts and 1 popcorn by the barrel and made quick I work of home packed lunches. Hardly a person on the grounds was without a Racing Form, other turf publication or a newspaper, and some even were armed with numerology and astrological charts in the blind hope of seeking j out elusive winners. Everybody had a i favorite for the Derby. The carnival spirit j also pervaded the area beyond the back-stretch where stable hands, their relatives, friends and others lent color to the general panorama that annually characterizes Derby Day.
